Controller for alternating-current motors.



PATENTED .TULY '7, 1908.

G. W. BUKER. CONTROLLER FOR ALTERNATING CURRENT MOTORS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 27, 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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PATENTED JULY '7, 1908.

G. W. EUKER.

CONTROLLER FOR ALTERNATINGAGURRENT MOTORS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 27, 1907.

2 SHEBTS-SHBET 2.

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UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEreE. GEORGE W. 'EUKEIL OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TOv DIEHL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

CONTBOLLEE FOR ALTENATING-C'URBENT MOTORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 7, 190,8.

Application led August 27, 1907. Serial No. 390,322. l

My invention lrelates to circuit controllers.

for alternating current motors, particularly small motors used in driving light machinery which is frequently started and stopped, and

run at varying speeds in use.

The present controller is particularly .adapted for use in operating sewing ma` chines where the control is exercised by a foot pedal. By means of a foot pedal it is possible to obtain a vertical and up and down movement of either definite or variable range, and thel controller constructed in accordance with the present invention is specially applicable for use in this way. Means A are provided for completing a shunt ield circuit of the motor prior to the completion of the series circuit including the armature plica tion, l have merely illustrated diagram# matically a motor having these `general features, it being understood that an similar or equivalent motor could be emp oyed as desired.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical se'ctional view of an alternating current motor controller embodying the principles -of my invention; Fig. 2 is a similar sectional view taken on a plane at right angles to that of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 illustrates the controller a plied to a sewing machinedriven vby an a j y ternating current motor; Fig. 4 is a section cuits for operating an on the line lV-lV vof Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; Fi 5 is a section on the line V-V of Fig. 1looldn in the direction of the arrows.' Fig. 6 i ustrates diagrammatically the arran ement of the cira ternating current motor.,

Referring to the drawings in which like parts are designated by the same reference sign, 1 indicates a frame or casing which is conveniently made of cylindrical form, with suitable end plates or heads, 2, 3, at the re# s ective ends. 4 indicates an additional p ate which forms a-supporting base for certain of the controller parts hereinafter described. Alll of theparts 2, 3 and 4 maybe, and preferably are, of vitreousor insulating material.

Depending from and sup orted by the base or part 4 there is a soleno1 coil or winding 5. In practice, l make use of a metal tube 6, longitudinally slotted on lone side at 7 (see Fig. 4). This tube iits tightly in the openl 4ing in the base 4, and is supportedby a supplemental base 8, suitably s aced apart from the base 4 in the casing 1. his tube 6 forms a strong and convenient support on which the solenoid coil 5 may be wound, there being of course alayer of paper or insulating material '9, .interposed between the tube 6 and the initial `layer of the winding.

Within the tube 6 and guided thereby to have a longitudinal or axial movement there is a second tube 1'0, also conveniently of metal longitudinally slotted on one side at 11 (see Fig. 5). a l make the tube 1-0 octagonal or non-circular in its sectional outline, so that an air space is left between it and the surrounding tube 6, although the tube 10 is closely guided in its -i-nclosing tube 6, without any side play or looseness therein. The tube 10 is made to constitute a receptacle filled with iron filings, Wires', laminations, chips, pieces or particles 12, and which constitutes a core for the solenoid 5.4 For this purpose there may be provided plugs or heads v13 and 14 at the respective ends of the tube 10. In practice, I prefer short pieces of iron Wire about long and f1-4 in diameter, carbonized and tightly compressed as a ller for the vtube 10. The tube lbeing illed,

the heads or plugs 13 and 14are securely faS- 100 tened in placeby a connecting rod 15 bolted to the upper lug and extending downwardly through the ower plug and through the head 3 of the-casing.

16 indicates a bushing through which the 1o5 Within the solenoid 5. I have illustrated a 110 pair of tensile springs 20, anchored to the base 4 at their upper en'ds, and connected to a plate 21, at their lower ends which passes beneath and abuts against the core 12. 5 The tension of these springs is such as to impel thecore upward, together with its connected parts against the influence of gravity and friction. When the core is at its lowermost position, as shown in Fig. 1, I provide means for cutting out the solenoidwinding. This preferably comprises a spring 22, and a metallic stud or. contact 23. the s ring 22 is such that it is normally separatedp from the button 23, but is ressed downward into contact therewith y the plate 21 when the core'12 is at its lowermo'st position, as shown in Fig. 1.

24 and 25 indicate the respective terminals for the s ring 22 and the stud 23.

In addition to the mechanism for varying the inductance of the winding 5 and cutting out suchwinding from the circuit, as thus far described, there is an additional switch device or mechanism for separately controlling shunt and series circuits in the motor.

28 and 29 denote levers pivoted on a com .mon supporting pin 30, which is supported by standards 31 from the base 4.

32 and 33`are metallic studs vor contacts projecting upward from the upper surface of the base 4, and adapted to beengaged by the respective levers 28 and 29, when these fall into their lowermost positions by gravity or under the influence of small tensile springs 34.l The stud 33 is made to project somewhat higher than the stud 32, so that it will' be engaged first and disengaged last in the movement of the levers 28 and 29, assuming that these are constrained to move together in a single plane. rl"he levers are so constrained to move together in a single plane by the en agement of the upper plug 13 vof the movable core 12 which is in a osition/to impinge against both levers at t e limit of its upward movement and raise them off their studs or contacts 32, 33, in the order or sequence mentioned. I make the plug 13 of insulating material.

In use the apparatus may he suspendedl beneath the table of a sewing machine byv a' depending link 38 (see Fig. 3) which engages an eye 39, in the upper head 2.

40 denotes a link depending from the stem 15 of the core 12, and which 1s attached to a pedal 41, of any ordinary construction. l't is evident that movement of the pedal 1s communicated to the core 12 through the link 40, and the stem 15.y As already noted, the tension of the springs 20 is such as to keep the pedal raised, so that a 'varying downward pressure of the foot 1s all that 1s necessary in use to effect all the'operations of thecontroller.

In Fig. G'electrical circuits adapted to the present construction of controller are par- The tension of' ,else

ticularly shown. Land L are line wires or circuit connections from a source of alternating current; A is a motor having series 'field windings B, shunt field windings C, and an armature D. When the core 12 is raised, the levers 28 and 29 are also elevated thereby out of contact with their respective studs or conductors 32, 33. All circuits of the motor are accordingly interru ted. If now the core` 12 is lowered slight y, the lever 29 will initially contact with the stud 33, closing a circuit from wire L, through lever 29, stud 33, wire 1V, shunt coils C, C, and wire Z2, back to line wire L. The shunt field of the motor is accordingly initially energized. Thereafter as the core 12 continues to be lowered, the lever 28 comes into contact with the stud or conductor 32, and the series circuit of the motor is completed through lever 28, stud 32, solenoid or'winding 5, w1re m', series windings B, B, armature D, wire m2,'back to line wire L. At this time the core 12 is in the position corresponding to maximum inductance of the wmding 5, so that the current iiow through the motor is not excessive. The core 12 is quickly drawn downward as the motor speeds up and when the motor has arrived at full speed, the core 12 has reached its lowermost position, and closes the circuit' between'the terminals 24 and A25, thereby cutting out the winding 5 altogether. The motor is now running normally with the held fully energized and all inductance cut out of the armature circuit. When it is desired to stop the motor, the core 1 2 is raised until it 100 impinges against the levers 28 and elevates them off their seats or contacts 32, 33. It will be observed that the lever 28 is raised off its contact before the lever 29, so that a magnetic braking action is exerted to stop the 105 motor by virtue of the continuing shunt field.

The construction is such that undue heat- Ving of the controller by the alternating current is always prevented. The construction 110 ofthe tubes 6 and 10 vertically slotted on one side has alreadylbeen explained, and it is evident that this construction prevents induced currentsin these tubes which would heat them and cause a loss of energy. In 115 moving '0119 COI'to any position longitudi- 130 `nally within the solenoid, means actuated by lll the movement of said core for completing a circuit through said solenoid, Aand separate means for initially completing an independent circuit.

3. In a controllerfor alternating current motors, a solenoid having a core, means for moving the core to anyposition longitudinally within the solenoid, means actuated by said core for completing a circuit through said solenoid, and separate means also actuated by the said core for initially completing an independent circuit.

4. In combination with an alternating current motor and a controller therefor, an. inductance winding, means for varying the inductance thereof, said means operating to initially close the shunt circuit of the motor,

and thereafter close the series circuit of the same.

` 5. In a controller for alternating 'current motors having a shunt and series circuits, an inductance winding, means for varying the inductance thereof, said means o erating to initially close the shunt circuit o the motor and thereafter close the series circuit of the same, and means for finally short-circuiting said winding.

6.` In a controller for alternating current motors an inductance, means for varying the inductance thereof, said means operating to complete a plurality of circuits in a successive order, and means for cutting out said inductance from its circuit after its value has become a minimum.

7. In a controller for alternating current motors, a solenoid, a core' movable longitudinally therein, springs for impelling said core into said solenoid, arid means for Withdrawing said core, whereby the inductance of the solenoidis changed..

8. In a controller for alternating current motors, a casing having a solenoid co-axially disposed therein, a corelongitudinall mov- `able within said solenoid, means wit in the casing-for impelling said core into the solenoid, and extending outside said casing for withdrawing said core from the solenoid, whereby the inductance of the solenoid winding ischanged.

9. In a controller for alternating current motors, a casing having a lural'ityof-supporting bases therein, a so enoid supported between' said bases, a .core longitudinally movable into said solenoid, springs for impellin said core into said solenoid, and means exten ing outside thecasing for withdrawing said core from the solenoid, whereby the inductance of the solenoid winding ischanged.

10. In combination with an alternating current motor and a controller, a longitudinally slotted metal tube, a solenoid exteriorly supported on said tube, means for completing a motor circuit through said solenoid, and a core of non-circular outline longitudinally movable within said tube.

11. In a controller for alternating current motors, a motor, a lon itudinally slotted tube, a solenoid supporte on the exterior of said tube, means for completing a motor circuit throu h said solenoid, and a core comprising a Iongitudinally slotted tube illed with small iron bodies, said tube being of noncircular outline.

12. In a controller for alternating current motors, a motor, a longitudinally slotted tube, a solenoid supported on the exterior of said tube, means for completing a motor circuit throu h said solenoid, and a core comprising a ongitudinally slotted tube filled with pieces of iron wire, oarbonized .and tightly compressed.

13. In a controller for alternating current motors, a' solenoid havin a core longitudinally movable therein, and means engaged by the core at the initial part of its movement out 'of the solenoid for successively closing a plurality of circuits.

14. In a controller for alternating current motors, a solenoid havin a core longitudinally movable therein, an levers engaged by .s

the core at the initial part of its movement out of the solenoid for successively closing a plurality of circuits. i

15. lIn a controller for alternating current motors, a solenoid having a core longitudinally movable therein, a pair of levers in the path of said core, and a pair of studs or contacts engaged by the said levers, saidstuds or contacts being engaged by the levers in a predetermined order as the core moves out of said solenoid. l 16. In a controller for alternating current motors, a solenoid having a core longitudinally movable therein, a pair of levers pivoted in the path ofsaid core, and studs or contacts of different height in a position to be engaged by the respective levers.

17. In a' controller for alternating current motors', a casing having an eye atone end and a link extending therefrom by which it may be attached to any convenient object, a solenoid having a core within the casing, and a link extendingdownwardly from said core and adapted to be attached to a treadle, whereb the inductance of. said solenoid is varied y movement of said treadle.

In witness whereof, I subscribe my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE W. EUKER. 

